ALERT: Cellphones Across Texas Woke People Up With A Blue Alert, Here’s Why

No, it wasn't just you who got woken up shortly before 5:00 a.m. on Friday. Cellphones across Texas blasted an emergency alert that left many asking why and taking to social media to complain about the alert.

The Texas Department of Public Safety can issue many different alerts. The two most common alerts are AMBER Alerts and Silver Alerts for missing elderly folks. But on Friday, October 4 many Texans learned about the Blue Alert.

The alert, which was issued just before 5:00 a.m. for a wanted suspect, Seth Altman who is 33. The alert was issued out of Memphis, Texas in the Texas Panhandle, but the alert went out across Texas. According to WFAA, Altman is "associated with the serious injury of a law enforcement officer". WFAA reported that a police officer was shot multiple times on Thursday night.

Altman -- who is white and was described at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 220 pounds with red hair and blue eyes -- was last seen on foot around 11 p.m. Thursday in the 200 block of South 4th Street in Memphis, about 90 miles southeast of Amarillo and 275 miles northwest of Dallas. Altman was seen heading toward U.S. 287, according to the alert.

Altman is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, contact law enforcement.

Get our free mobile app

What Is A Blue Alert in Texas?

Blue Alerts are one of many alerts that Texas DPS can send out when they need help finding someone. Blue Alerts are issued when authorities are searching for someone who is wanted for causing serious injury to a police offer or has killed a police officer.

READ MORE: Simple Tricks To Ditch Phone Alerts Fast

According to WFAA, AMBER and Blue Alerts are normally only supposed to be sent out from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Although regional alerts could differ.

You can read more about different alerts that can be sent to your phone here.